Evaluation of Protective Effect of Tagetes erecta Against Mercuric Chloride Induced Nephrotoxicity

Abstract

The toxicity of various forms of mercury to the living organisms is well documented. Mammalian kidney is the main site of decomposition of inorganic mercury as well as the target organ for its toxicity in majority of the animals including human beings. Present study has been aimed to investigate the role of Tagetes erecta (family-Astereacea) as a possible modifier of mercury induced renal damages. Experimentation was conducted on one hundred female albino rats, divided into five equal groups, each group again sub-divided into four sub-groups having five rats each: Control group- Orally administrated distilled water only. T. erecta flower extract treated group-10mg/kg b. wt./day for 1, 7, 14, 21 days was administrated orally. Mercuric chloride treatment groups-A dose of 0.926 mg/kg b.wt. for 01 day, 0.132 mg/kg b.wt. for 7 days, 0.066 mg/kg b.wt. for 14 days and 0.044 for 21 days was administrated through oral route. Oral administration of T. erecta flower extract followed by mercuric chloride treatment for 1, 7, 14 and 21 days. Oral administration of Mercuric chloride followed by T. erecta flower extract administration for 1, 7, 14 and 21 days. These animals were then sacrificed after 1, 7, 14 and 21 days treatment respectively. Controls were also run respectively. Mercuric chloride intoxication resulted in pathological alterations in the kidney of albino rats, such as degradation of glomerulus, proximal and distal tubules. Combined pre and post treatment of T. erecta with mercuric chloride has been found to reduce the pathological alterations in the kidney. Thus, the results from the present study suggest that T. erecta can modify the renal damages against mercuric chloride induced toxicity.